Last updated at 21:23, Friday, 05 March 2010

CONGRATULATIONS to the staff of Armstrong’s Fashions on winning the Tynedale award for the best small business.

Catherine would like to say a big thank you to all who voted for them.

ON Monday, I attended the Girl Guiding “Thinking Day” service at the Holy Cross Church, which was very well supported.

As well as the Rainbows, Brownies, and Guides, there were parents, as well as ex-Guides like myself.

The order of service, to celebrate 100 years of the movement, was the same all over the world. The service itself was conducted by Canon Best, with songs sung and lessons read by all age groups of guiding, all contributing to a lovely occasion.

A DISCUSSION draft of the Haltwhistle Town Plan was presented to an open meeting in the Methodist chapel hall on Monday, February 22, and there was a very useful exchange of views and ideas.

Historically, Haltwhistle has been a market town servicing east-west trade.

It was agreed that its position between the M6 and A1(M), and its proximity to quarries, Hadrian’s Wall and the wild and beautiful countryside, could attract manufacturing, tourism, home working and those who commute to Newcastle and Carlisle.

It was also recognised that, as a small, rather isolated market and industrial town, Haltwhistle depends on its natural resource – which include a hard-working, friendly, independent minded and enterprising population – for its prosperity and survival. Also, that it is up to the community to provide the quality of life to attract new businesses and tourism.

The meeting noted the need for: a youth centre and youth service; better football facilities; a user committee to report on the community use of the library; nursing home beds linked to the hospital; a town Room and archive; all information services to be under one roof; a replacement for Greenholme, and better day care; a local team to service the public spaces, gardens, pavements, the riverside and footpaths in the town.

THE gardening club held its first meeting of the year in February, with over 30 folk attending.

Susie White, from Chesters, kept the audience enthralled with her beautiful slides of the gardens of Northumberland and the Borders.

The next meeting is on Monday, March 8, when Mark Perry will be the speaker. He is a landscape gardener who also has a link with Chesters, and his talk will outline a brief history of garden design.

The meeting will be held at the Comrades’ Club at 7.30pm and is free to members. Non-members are welcome, paying a small charge.

Ring Jill on (01434) 320250 for further information.

THERE is a new ukulele club at La Toot every Wednesday at 7pm.

If you are interested in becoming a member, speak to Mike, or just turn up on the evening. I am sure you will be made most welcome whether you are a beginner or an expert!

First published at 09:45, Friday, 05 March 2010
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk